Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Our North Wood’s week starts clear and cold, with a welcome warming bump for the weekend. So say the forecasters...
“This is the time for serious muskie hunters and walleye anglers,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “Water temperatures are in the upper 30s to lower 40s on many lakes, and it is a great time to be on the water if it is not too cold.
“Muskie action is good on the weed edges with suckers on quick-set rigs, and sucker pattern jerkbaits are also producing some fish. Walleye fishing is greatly improved, with anglers fishing walleye suckers and fatheads on deeper water drop-offs.”
Jim at Hayward Bait says grouse hunting is good northeast of Hayward and deer hunters report buck activity is really picking up – now is the time bucks get a little crazy!
“Most muskie lakes are producing good numbers of some really nice fish on suckers fished in 10-20 feet of water. The few walleye anglers fishing area lakes are catching some big fish on minnows and stickbaits in deep water.”
Guide Dave Dorazio at Outdoor Creations says few anglers are on area lakes with the recent change to cold weather.
“Some muskie anglers are still finding good action on the Chippewa Flowage. Work steep shorelines near the river channels and concentrate on woody areas and cribs. Throw a Bull Dawg and be sure to put out at least one sucker on a quick-set rig since live bait is the most productive bait at this time.
“Walleye anglers are doing well in 24-30 feet of water with jigs and fatheads or five-inch walleye suckers. Crappie anglers are catching fish in Moores Bay, Pine Point, and Blueberry with crappie minnows and jigs with tube skirts.”
At Anglers All in Ashland, Carolyn says most anglers have stored their boats for the winter, but there are still many fish to catch in Chequamegon Bay.
“Trout and salmon are very active by the river mouths and off the Washburn shoreline, with most trollers using stickbaits. Anglers wading along the shorelines are casting spoons, spinners, and flies, or spawn bags under bobbers. Stream fishing is productive on flies, yarn, spawn, and spinners (streams close November 15).”
DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter says barotrauma is a phenomenon that happens to fish – and scuba divers – when they quickly rise to the surface from great depths.
“Anglers catching fish in deep water sometimes observe fish with greatly enlarged swim bladders because of the pressure difference, often with the bladder extruding from the fish’s throat.
“Venting, a technique to release pressure through a small puncture in the bladder, is a popular practice when anglers intend to release the fish. Texas Tech researcher George Wilde studied the effectiveness of ‘venting,’ concluding there was little evidence it benefited fish survival and that it was harmful for fish caught at great depths.
“The effects of barotrauma are almost unavoidable when fishing in deep water, something anglers oriented to catch and release should consider.”
DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt says last week’s cold, breezy weather produced light fishing pressure on waters across the North Woods.
“The few muskie anglers trying their luck report minimal success, seeing a few follows and short strikes on slow-moving glide baits and suckers, but the cold water temperatures are making fish very reluctant to hit.”
In the past week, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, Hillman’s Store, Hayward Bait) registered 27 antlerless deer and 39 bucks for archery season, including a big 11-point and a few nice eight-pointers. Dennis at Shooting Star says bucks are actively chasing does. Kelly at Hayward Bait says bucks are chasing does, but not yet going full bore.
As of November 11, the Wisconsin wolf harvest has reached 204 animals (statewide quota 251). Zone 3 (harvest 22; quota 71) is now the only zone open for wolf harvest.
Hayward Rod and Gun Club’s annual sight-in days are November 16-22, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There is a $6/firearm fee. This year’s raffle prizes for sight-in days are a Mossberg rifle and a CVA muzzleloader. For more information, visit www.haywardrodandgunclub.com.
FISHING REPORT
Muskie:
Muskies are scattered in most lakes, in depths from 10-20 feet or so, and anglers are catching some nice fish on/near weed edges, wood, cribs, and river channels. Suckers on quick-strike rigs continue to be the top producers, but Bull Dawgs, jerkbaits, and gliders worked slowly in the same areas are also producing catches.
Walleye:
Walleye fishing is improving and anglers are catching some very nice fish. Concentrate on deeper water from 15-30 feet, near weed edges and drop-offs. Live bait – walleye suckers and fatheads – are the top offerings, though some anglers are catching fish on stick and crank baits.
Northern:
Northern are active, though muskie and crappie anglers are making the majority of catches. Look for pike near weeds and panfish, from shallow to deep. Best baits include spinners, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits, twitch baits, jerkbaits, fatheads, and northern suckers. For trophy pike, fish deeper water with bigger baits.
Bass:
Bass fishing interest continues to decline, particularly for largemouth. Smallmouth anglers report very good action on the deep, clear lakes fishing rock bars, humps, and other hard bottom areas with walleyes suckers, spoons, drop-shot rigs, and plastics.
Crappie:
Crappie action is fair to very good, with the best action in the usual fall crappie haunts. Fish are suspending over deep water and actively hitting crappie minnows, fatheads, tube jigs, and plastics.
Bluegill:
The few anglers still pursuing bluegills are catching some nice fish, but ‘few’ might be exaggerating the numbers. Look for the ‘gills around weeds and brush in 5-10 feet of water, with some suspending over deeper water. Waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawlers, minnows, and plastics are all effective baits.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 15: Trout and salmon season closes on sections of Lake Superior tributaries (see regs).
Nov. 16-22: Hayward Rod & Gun Club sight-in days 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; fee $6/firearm.
Nov. 19: Duck season closes in North Zone.
Nov. 21: Seasons close: Early archery deer; Turkey; Crow.
Nov. 22: Illegal to hunt with firearm or bow the day before gun deer season opens (see regs for exceptions).
Nov. 22: Cable Rod & Gun Club sight-in day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., fee $5/firearm (715-798-3099).
Nov. 23: Seasons open: Regular gun deer; Archery deer.
Nov. 30: Seasons close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Regular gun deer season closes; Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 2-11: Muzzleloader deer season.
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Bear; Spring turkey.
Dec. 12-15: Antlerless-only firearm hunt in Herd Control and CWD DMUs.
Dec. 16: Canada goose season closes in Northern Zone.
Dec. 25: Period 1 bobcat season closes.
Dec. 26: Period 2 bobcat season opens north of Hwy 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Turkey (zones 1-5); Fisher; Frog; Hungarian partridge.
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureauwebsite, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.